Tapping noise from front/left engine after cold start | FerrariChat
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Tapping noise from front/left engine after cold start

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by Threeofnine, Aug 22, 2023.

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  1. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
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    Birmingham, AL USA
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    Jarrod Heath
    #1 Threeofnine, Aug 22, 2023
    My Testarossa has a light tapping noise that appears to be loudest at the front, left side, of the engine upon cold start. The noise last for around five minutes until the car warms up and then goes away, usually for the rest of the day. The noise has been present since I obtained the car just under two years ago. I was told by a technician that they noise likely originates from an accessory belt or tensioner and is not a cause of concern. The car idles smoothly and the engine performs without issue. Oil level is good, the car does not noticeably burn any oil and the oil has been changed twice under my ownership.

    Does the accessory belt explanation sound plausible? I have used an automotive stethoscope a couple times but wasn’t able to really isolate the noise (probably due to my cheap scope). The speed of the tapping does increase with rpm.
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Steve Magnusson, Aug 22, 2023
    Possible, but it's also possible that it's the air injection air pump itself (it operates from overnight cold start-up until the water temp gauge reads about 150 deg F -- so watch your water temp gauge to see if the noise always disappears at the exact same needle position). You could just unplug the air pump clutch, and see if the noise is then not present at cold start-up. A properly working air pump will make a little noise so it is sort of a subjective thing.
     
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  3. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

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    #3 flash32, Aug 22, 2023
    I have the same noise on my 512tr .. try to spray a little water on belts during start up and see if sound changes - def a common noises .. alt belt IIRC
     
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  4. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

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    #4 Threeofnine, Aug 22, 2023
    Thank you Steve. I will try this.
     
  5. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

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    Jarrod Heath
    #5 Threeofnine, Aug 22, 2023
    Thank you, I will try this as well.
     
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  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 Rifledriver, Aug 22, 2023
    Might investigate the possibility of an exhaust leak as well.
     
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  7. ants2au

    ants2au Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2003
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    Anthony
    #7 ants2au, Aug 22, 2023

    lol, mine does the same thing.. I sprayed water on the alt belt to confirm as well, and sure enough, it disappears..
    I had inspected the belt, and there is nothing on it that would cause this.. weirdest thing.

    mine is more a ticking noise than a tapping though..
     
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  8. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

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    #8 Threeofnine, Nov 25, 2023
    I took a short video of the tapping noise at start up. How concerning is this noise? It goes away as soon as the car warms up. I am going to look at the air injection pump and try the water on the belts today to see if it stops the noise. An exhaust leak is something I will investigate too. My concern is the possibility that the noise is originating from a valve. There are no issues with idle, driving or any oil consumption but a dropped valve would be catastrophic. My Testarossa is not due for another major for 2-3 years but I was considering expediting one in order to upgrade the differential.
     

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  9. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 Rifledriver, Nov 25, 2023
    TRs do not have sodium filled valves or any history of valve failures.
     
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  10. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
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    #10 lagunacc, Nov 25, 2023
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  11. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
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    #11 lagunacc, Nov 25, 2023
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  12. BR in the UK

    BR in the UK Rookie

    Sep 18, 2006
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    #12 BR in the UK, Nov 29, 2023
    Its possible it is just belt noise (like others have stated) and you can get a can of spray belt dressing to put on the belts. Helps for a little bit. I defititely hear all kinds of stange and different noises when I start my 93 512tr in the cold in the winter. (Im in Sweden and its below zero). Back when I had a 328 the car had a very very loud ticking noise when started from cold. So loud it sounded mechanical and as if the valves were snapping off. It was basically what ever made up the material for the accessory drivebelts and once they warmed up it disappeared...(or if you spray belt dressing on). I had that car for 6 years, through two full belt chnages and it always did that. The noise was loud enough that is really sounded serious but like with so many things it wasnt.... So hopefully thats what you are hearing....
     
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